MOBILE COUNTY, Alabama-- Home prices here on the west side of Mobile Bay tend to run a wee bit lower those waterfront manses elsewhere. If only proximity to water was the only measure of luxury.

The trade-off is: a greenhouse in the backyard, or a game of basketball on a private court.

Space is never a problem out in the west part of the county where many of the most expensive homes sold in the past six months are located. The average home comes in close to 4,500 square feet inside.

A Dauphin Island beach house made the list, too.

Here are seven of the most expensive homes sold in the first half of 2013 based on information from the Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service and property records.

1. Yester Place, Spring Hill neighborhood, Mobile: Topping the list is a creole-style mansion in the Springhill neighborhood out west of the Interstate 65. First built in 1975, over time this home has been upgraded to include a sports court for playing basketball or tennis out back.

5,817 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms

Sold March 22 for $1.05 million

Wow Factor: Lighted sports court for basketball or tennis.

2. Canary Islands Drive, west Mobile: Peer out onto the backyard from balconies in two upstairs bedrooms. This mansion comes in a few thousand dollars short of $1 million. It was constructed by local homebuilder Mark Swanson in 2005 on the Isle of Palm subdivision.

3. Soost Court, Spring Hill neighborhood, Mobile: Backed up against the Country Club of Mobile, this home has a bricked facade and sits on the Fairway subdivision in Springhill. Inside there is a fireplace and garden bathtub.

4,597 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

Sold May 31 for $970,000

Wow Factor: Wet bar and 9-feet ceilings and wood-burning fireplace.

4. McGregor Oaks, Spring Hill neighborhood, Mobile: The two-columned entrance of this home built in the traditional style is only the beginning of . A standard life is instantly upgraded. From the wood and marble floors and high ceilings to the French doors in many spaces throughout the residence. A swimming pool and patio area are out back, too.

$5,213 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

Sold March 28 for $799,375

Wow Factor: Swimming pool and marble floors.

5. Hernando Place, Dauphin Island: Often the vacation spot for out-of-towners, this home on the barrier island Town of Dauphin Island rises high off the ground to provide parking for cars and boats. Occupying a spot on the Desoto Landing subdivision on the east end of the island, the Gulf of Mexico is easily visible from anywhere here.

3,415 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Sold May 1 for $725,000

Wow Factor: Ocean view of the gulf and outdoor shower.

6. Wimbledon Drive West, Spring Hill neighborhood, Mobile: Don Bowden, the Mobile-based architect, designed this federal-style home located in the Springhill neighborhood. This modest-looking manse was built with an elevator to navigate all three floors of living space. The backyard has a small courtyard and greenhouse.

3,769 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

Sold March 1 for $600,000

Wow Factor: Elevator, greenhouse and a skylight.

7. Bishop Lane North, Spring Hill neighborhood, Mobile: The final Springhill address to make the list is located just west of Interstate 65. Local homebuilder MD Price Builder constructed this traditional home in 2012. Inside there is a gourmet kitchen and island counter with a bar covered in granite, raised ceiling and travertine shower stalls.

3,454 square feet; 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Sold June 3 for $590,000

Wow Factor: raised ceilings, fireplace and granite counter tops.

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More about the list: The homes listed were compiled from the Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service from the beginning of the year until June 21. Only single-family homes sold within that time were included.